Aircraft maintenance apparatus and method of maintaining aircraft

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members. The apparatus also preferably has a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/786,829, filed on Jan. 21, 1997, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/161,610, filed on Sep. 25, 1998, andwhich are both incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of aviation and, moreparticularly, to the maintenance of aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Over the years, various aircraft maintenance equipment has beendeveloped for maintaining various portions of an aircraft. This aircraftmaintenance equipment has included washing, cleaning, deicing, painting,polishing, sanding, grinding, and/or other maintenance functions. Suchsystems conventionally provide an aircraft cleaning or paintingapparatus which has a pair of spaced-apart tracks for positioning anaircraft therebetween and a track base slidably mounted to each track.An example of such a system can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,299 byCollins et al. titled “Aircraft Deicing Apparatus”. Other systemsprovide an aircraft cleaning or painting apparatus that has a boompivotally mounted to a slidable support base. Examples of such anapparatus can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,646 by Shaw et al. titled“Aircraft Maintenance Robot”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,254 by Shaw et al.titled “Aircraft Maintenance Robot”, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,498 byArato titled “Craft Washing Plant”. Still other systems provide overheadtracks under which an aircraft or other vehicle passes for providingmaintenance such as painting, cleaning, or deicing. Examples of thistype of system can be seen in French EPO-0341-134 Published PatentApplication by Jonca and U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,121 by Alexanian titled“Vehicle Washing System”.

[0004] These conventional aircraft maintenance systems, however, attemptto provide movement of a washing, cleaning, deicing, painting,polishing, sanding, or grinding apparatus by complex boom type systemswhich often require an expensive installation facility which includesextensive installation obstacles to overcome. These systems also oftendistribute the weight of the apparatus performing the maintenancefunctions either with the structure, i.e., building, hangar, garage,itself or at a substantial distance from the aircraft. This operationalrequirement, in turn, requires the extensive boom-type or robotic-typearms which extend outwardly from a base to perform the maintenanceoperation. These boom-type arms conventionally carry extensiveelectronics and can be quite expensive to manufacture. Other problemsassociated with these boom-type arms include the risk from damage to thelong outwardly extending arms by moving aircraft, the requirement ofcomplex and expensive control of the arm at a base a distance away fromthe aircraft, and the lack of effective control of the arm, e.g., totrack the contour of the aircraft, and the maintenance tools adjacentthe aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageouslyprovides an apparatus and method for maintaining an aircraft thatprovides effective control of maintenance tools adjacent the aircraft.The present invention also advantageously provides an apparatus andmethod to track or follow the contour of the aircraft by providing theweight of the control of the maintenance tool adjacent the aircraft andreducing the problems and risks associated with the use of a longboom-type arm extending outwardly from hangar walls or roofs to providethe maintenance functions. The present invention additionallyadvantageously provides an aircraft maintenance apparatus and methodwith increased degrees of freedom of movement for movement of amaintenance tool in the X, Y, and Z planes.

[0006] More particularly, an apparatus for maintaining an aircraftaccording to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has amobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobilebase to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surfaceregistering members for registering the mobile base to a support surfaceto inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members. The apparatusalso preferably has a boom member having a proximal end portionrotatably mounted to the mobile base and being movable between aretracted position and an extended position and an aircraft maintenancetool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, anapparatus for maintaining an aircraft preferably includes a mobile base,a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to saidmobile base. The boom member is preferably movable between a retractedposition and an extended position. The apparatus also preferablyincludes an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distalend portion of the boom member.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, anapparatus for maintaining an aircraft preferably includes a mobile baseincluding rotating means for providing rotational movement of the mobilebase on a support surface, a boom member having a proximal end portionrotatably mounted to the mobile base, and an aircraft maintenance toolconnected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

[0009] The present invention also provides a maintenance tool such asfor an aircraft. The maintenance tool preferably includes a toolhousing, a pair of roll members having at least portions thereof mountedin the tool housing, and driving means connected to the tool housing forrotatably driving the pair of roll members in opposite rotationaldirections.

[0010] Another embodiment of a maintenance tool such as for maintainingan aircraft preferably includes a tool housing, a nozzle connected tothe tool housing, and nozzle moving means connected to the tool housingfor pivotally moving the nozzle in a first plane and for pivotallymoving the nozzle in a second different plane.

[0011] The present invention also includes a mobile vehicle whichpreferably has a base having at least upper and lower portions and adrive connected to the base. A plurality of wheels are connected to alower portion of the base and are also each connected to the drive sothat the plurality wheels responsively move the base in a plurality ofdifferent directions, e.g., radial directions, responsive to the drive.The lower portion of the base includes a plurality of recessed regionsinto each of which one of the plurality of wheels is mounted. Each ofthe wheels of the vehicle preferably include a hub and a plurality ofroller members dispersed around the hub. Each of the plurality of wheelsis drivable or movable responsive to the drive in a selected directionindependent of each of the other plurality of wheels. Also, a pluralityof leveling legs can be connected to the base for leveling the base inselected positions. The plurality of leveling leg are preferably beingmovable between retracted and extended positions.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method of maintaining anaircraft. The method preferably includes rotating a boom memberconnected to a base, extending the boom member from a retractedposition, and rotating an aircraft maintenance tool connected to theboom member during operation of a maintenance procedure upon anaircraft. The method can also include rotating the base about a supportsurface.

[0013] Another method according to the present invention preferablyincludes a method of treating a surface. The method preferably includesthe steps of providing a pair of roll members having surface treatingmeans associated therewith and rotationally driving the pair of rollmembers in opposite rotational directions. The method can also includeeach of the pair of roll members having a roller and a roller cover. Theroller cover includes a plurality of surface contact members associatedtherewith. Also, each of the rollers can advantageously be inflatable,and the method further including inflating each of the inflatablerollers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the presentinvention having been stated, others will become apparent as thedescription proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an aircraftmaintenance apparatus operating on an airplane in a hangar according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatusin an extended position according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention and illustrating portions of an airplane in broken lines;

[0017]FIG. 3 is side elevational view of an aircraft maintenanceapparatus in an extended position according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an aircraft maintenanceapparatus in a retracted position according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an aircraft maintenance apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatushaving a transport vehicle and a separable base according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an aircraftmaintenance apparatus and an airplane according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0023]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a maintenance tool of anaircraft maintenance apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a maintenance tool ofan aircraft maintenance apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0025]FIG. 11 is an environmental top plan view of a plurality ofaircraft maintenance apparatuses according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a plurality of aircraft maintenanceapparatuses operating on an airplane according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0027]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a deicing tool of anaircraft maintenance apparatus according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0028]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a deicing tool of anaircraft maintenance apparatus of FIG. 13 according to the presentinvention;

[0029]FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a deicing tool of an aircraftmaintenance apparatus of FIG. 11 according to the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mobile base portion of anaircraft maintenance apparatus according to the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatushaving a plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules added to a mobilebase portion thereof according to the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatushaving an aircraft maintenance module added thereto according to thepresent invention;

[0033]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatushaving another embodiment of an aircraft maintenance module according tothe present invention;

[0034]FIG. 20 is an exploded side elevational view of a mobile baseportion having a plurality of maintenance modules adapted to beconnected thereto of an aircraft maintenance apparatus according to thepresent invention;

[0035]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatushaving another embodiment of a maintenance tool according to the presentinvention;

[0036]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance tool ofan aircraft maintenance apparatus according to the present invention;and

[0037]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatushaving yet another embodiment of a maintenance tool according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings whichillustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these illustrated embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willbe thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout, and prime and double prime notation are used toindicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

[0039]FIGS. 1 and 11-12 illustrate environmental views of an aircraft Amaintenance apparatus 30 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The aircraft A as illustrated is generally mounted to orrolls along a support surface or floor F. The floor F of a maintenancehangar, warehouse, or other maintenance region, for example, ispreferably slanted toward a drain for collecting waste fluid runoff fromthe washing, de-icing, painting, or other maintenance process. Theapparatus 30 preferably has the capability to perform maintenance tasksalong the fuselage, wings, tail, and nose sections of the aircraft.

[0040] An apparatus 30 for maintaining an aircraft A according to anembodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base 40having a plurality of wheel members 50 for allowing the mobile base 40to travel along surfaces F and a plurality of support surfaceregistering members 45 for registering the mobile base 40 to a supportsurface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members 50. Theplurality of support surface registering members 45 preferably eachinclude a leveling leg 46 which extends and retracts generally in avertical plane. The registering members 45 also can extend and retractin transverse or horizontal planes, as illustrated.

[0041] The mobile base 40 can also advantageously include a plurality ofauxiliary maintenance modules, e.g., fluid tanks 49 for supplying fluidto one or more maintenance tools associated with the apparatus 30. Theapparatus 30 also preferably has a boom member 60 having a proximal endportion rotatably mounted to the mobile base 40 and being movablebetween a retracted position and an extended position and at least oneaircraft maintenance tool 80 rotatably connected to a distal end portionof the boom member 60.

[0042]FIG. 2 illustrates an operator O remotely operating the apparatus30 from a remote operator booth B 25 according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the mobile base 40′ ofa second embodiment of an apparatus 30′ can further have an operator cabC for positioning an operator O therein and for operating the apparatus30′ from the mobile base 40′. The mobile base 40′ also preferablyincludes at least one drive 42, e.g., an engine and a drive assembly,for driving the wheels 50′ of the mobile base 40′.

[0043] FIGS. 2-5 and 8 illustrate structural features of the boom member60 and the operation of the boom member 60, the mobile base 40, and themaintenance tool 80. Each of the plurality of wheel members 50 of themobile base 40 includes an omni-directional vehicle wheel for providingat least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational motion of the mobilebase 40 (see FIG. 5 arrows). The mobile base 40 also has a rotatableplatform 43 positioned along an upper end portion thereof. The pluralityof support surface registering members 45 each preferably includes asupport surface contact member or legs 46 and a hydraulic engagingmember 48 connected to the support surface contact member 46 forhydraulically engaging the support surface contact member 46 with thesupport surface F.

[0044] The boom member 60 preferably includes a first boom arm 61 whichhas a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the rotatable platform43 of the mobile base 40 and which has a retracted position (see FIG. 4)and an extended position (see FIG. 3), e.g., by the use of a piston andcylinder connector assembly. A second boom arm 63 has a proximal endportion mounted to the first boom arm 61 and likewise has a retractedposition and an extended position. A third boom arm 65 has a medialportion pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of the second boomarm 63 and also has a retracted position and an extended position. Theboom member 60 further preferably includes yet a fourth boom arm 67having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to a distal end portionof the third boom arm 65.

[0045] As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 8, the fourth boom arm 67includes a plurality of arm links. The plurality of arm links include afirst arm link 72 having a proximal end rotatably connected to thedistal end portion of the third boom arm 65, a second arm link 74 havinga proximal end pivotally connected to the distal end of the first armlink 72, a third arm link 76 having a proximal end portion rotatably orpivotally connected to the second arm link 74, and a fourth arm link 78having a proximal end rotatably connected to the distal end of the thirdarm link 76.

[0046] As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, the present inventionalso provides a maintenance tool 80 such as for an aircraft A. Themaintenance tool 80 preferably includes a tool housing 81, a pair ofroll members 83, 84 having at least portions thereof mounted in the toolhousing 81, and driving means, e.g., a motor 86, drive rolls or shaftsand drive chains, connected to the tool housing 81 for rotatably drivingthe pair of roll members 83, 84 in opposite rotational directions. Theroll members 83, 84, for example, can include bristles, strips of softcloth, or other brush-like members for cleaning or buffing the outersurface of an aircraft A. The tool 80 also preferably includes asuctioning wiper member 88 which is preferably connected to a fluidcollection hose 26. The roll members 83, 84 or other portions of thetool 80 are also preferably connected to a fluid supply hose 28.

[0047] As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 13-15, another embodiment ofa maintenance tool 80′ such as for maintaining an aircraft A preferablyincludes a tool housing 81′, a nozzle 85 connected to the tool housing81′, and nozzle moving means 87 connected to the tool housing 81′ forpivotally moving the nozzle 85 in a first plane P1 (see FIG. 14) and forpivotally moving the nozzle 85 in a second different plane P2 (see FIG.15).

[0048]FIGS. 7 and 16-23 illustrate another embodiment of a mobile base38 or mobile vehicle 40′ of an aircraft maintenance apparatus 30according to the present invention. Notice that the base 38 can beseparable from the general platform of the vehicle 40′ as shown in FIG.7. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that themobile vehicle 40′ can also advantageously be used for other operationssuch as missile transport, fire fighting operations, or aircraft towingoperations. The mobile vehicle 40′ preferably includes a base 38 havingat least upper and lower portions and a drive 42′ connected to the base38. A plurality of wheels 50′ are connected to a lower portion of thebase 38 and are also each connected to the drive 42′ so that theplurality wheels 50′ responsively move the base 38 in a plurality ofdifferent directions, e.g., radial directions and other directions aspreviously described, responsive to the drive 42′. The lower portion ofthe base 38 includes a plurality of recessed regions 41 into each ofwhich one of the plurality of wheels 50′ is mounted. Each of the wheels50′ of the vehicle 40′ preferably include a hub 52 and a plurality ofroller members 54 dispersed around the hub 52. Each of the plurality ofwheels 50′ is drivable or movable responsive to the drive 42′ in aselected direction independent of each of the other plurality of wheels50′.

[0049] Additionally, a plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules 49′are connected to the upper portion of the base 38. The plurality ofauxiliary maintenance modules 49′ are positioned along peripheral edgesof the base 38. At least one main maintenance module 58 is preferablyconnected to the upper portion of the base 38 and has a maintenance toolconnected thereto. The at least one main maintenance module 58 furtherincludes a module base portion 57, 57′, a boom arm portion 60″ rotatablyconnected to the module base portion 57, 57′, and the maintenance tool80″, 80′″ being connected to the boom arm portion 60″. The boom armportion 60″, 60′″, 60″″, is preferably extendable between retracted andextended positions. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, retractableand extendable connecting means, e.g., preferably provided byn themovable cross members 51 as illustrated in FIG. 19, can be positionedbetween and connected to the upper portion of the base 38 and the mainmaintenance module 58 for retracting and extending the main maintenancemodule 58. At least either one of the plurality of auxiliary maintenancemodules 49 or the main maintenance module 58 includes a chamber 6 havingat least one maintenance fluid positioned therein. The fluid ispreferably a deicing or washing fluid, but other maintenance fluids canbe used as well as understood by those skilled in the art. Further, themobile vehicle 40′ can also advantageously include a plurality ofleveling legs 46′ connected to the base 38 for leveling the base 38 inselected positions, e.g., along support surfaces which are not level soas to balance and adjust the base 38 and/or boom arm 60′. The pluralityof leveling legs 46′ are preferably movable between retracted andextended positions as previously described. These alternate embodimentsof the apparatus 30, 30′ and the associate elements connected theretofurther advantageously illustrate the modularity and interchangeabilityof the components of the apparatus 30, 30′.

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-23, the present invention also providesmethods of maintaining an aircraft A. A method preferably includesrotating a boom member 60 connected to a base 40, extending the boommember 60 from a retracted position, and rotating an aircraftmaintenance tool 80 connected to the boom member 60 during operation ofa maintenance procedure upon an aircraft A. The method can also includerotating the base 40 about a support surface. The method can alsoadvantageously include moving the base 40 in at least forward, lateral,diagonal, and rotational directions about the support surface F,supplying fluid to the maintenance tool 80, and suctioning fluid fromthe maintenance tool 80 (see FIGS. 8-9).

[0051] The method can further include the base 40 further having aplurality of support surface registering members 45 each including asupport surface contact member or leg 46 and a hydraulic engaging member48 connected to the support surface contact member 46. The method thenincludes hydraulically engaging the support surface contact member 46with the support surface F. The method can also include the aircraftmaintenance tool 80 having at least a pair of roll members 83, 84, andthe method further including rotatably driving the pair of roll members83, 84 in opposite rotational directions. Additionally, the base 40, theboom member 60, and the maintenance tool 80 can be either remotelyoperated or operating with an operator O positioned on the base 40 (seeFIGS. 2-3).

[0052] Another method according to the present invention preferablyincludes a method of treating a surface. The method preferably includesthe steps of providing a pair of roll members 83, 84 having surfacetreating means 87 associated therewith and rotationally driving the pairof roll members 83, 84 in opposite rotational directions. The method canalso include each of the pair of roll members 83, 84 having a roller anda roller cover. The roller cover includes a plurality of surface contactmembers associated therewith. Also, each of the rollers canadvantageously be inflatable, and the method further including inflatingeach of the inflatable rollers.

[0053] The method can also advantageously include supplying fluid to anitem for cleaning thereof with the pair of roll members 83, 84 andsuctioning fluid from an item adjacent the maintenance tool 80. The stepof suctioning fluid includes suctioningly wiping fluid positionedbetween the pair of roll members 83, 84 (see FIG. 9).

[0054] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed atypical preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specificterms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only andnot for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described inconsiderable detail with specific reference to these illustratedembodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various modificationsand changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention asdescribed in the foregoing specification and as defined in the appendedclaims.

That which is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for maintaining an aircraft, the apparatus comprising: a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing said mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering said mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members; a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to said mobile base, said boom member being movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and an aircraft maintenance tool connected to a distal end portion of said boom member.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base includes a plurality of fluid tanks for supplying fluid to the maintenance tool.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wheel members includes an omni-directional vehicle wheel for providing at least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational motion of said mobile base.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base includes a rotatable platform positioned along an upper end portion thereof, and wherein said boom member includes a first boom arm having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the rotatable platform of said mobile base and having a retracted position and an extended position, a second boom arm having a proximal end portion mounted to said first boom arm and having a retracted position and an extended position, and a third boom arm having a medial portion pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of said second boom arm and having a retracted position and an extended position.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said boom member further includes a fourth boom arm having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to a distal end portion of said third boom arm.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said fourth boom arm includes a plurality of arm links, the plurality of arm links including a first arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to the distal end portion of said third boom arm, a second arm link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the distal end of the first arm link, a third arm link having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the second arm link, and a fourth arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to the distal end of the third arm link.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, said plurality of support surface registering members each include a support surface contact member and a hydraulic engaging member connected to the support surface contact member for hydraulically engaging the support surface contact member with the support surface.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said aircraft maintenance tool includes at least one of the following: an aircraft deicing tool and an aircraft cleaning tool.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said aircraft cleaning tool includes a tool housing, a pair of cleaning brushes having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing, and driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite rotational directions.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base includes rotating means for providing rotational movement of said mobile base on a support surface, wherein said boom member is rotatably connected to said mobile base, and wherein said maintenance tool is rotatably connected to said boom member.
 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base further has an operator cab for operating the apparatus from said mobile base.
 12. An apparatus for maintaining a transport vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a mobile base mounted to said transport vehicle and being readily separable from said transport vehicle; a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to said mobile base, said boom member being movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of said boom member.
 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said mobile base includes rotating means for providing rotational movement of said mobile base on a support surface.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said rotating means of said mobile base includes a plurality of wheel members each having an omni-directional vehicle wheel for providing at least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational motion of said mobile base.
 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said mobile base includes a plurality of fluid supply tanks for supplying fluid to the maintenance tool, a power source, and at least one pump connected to said power source and positioned in fluid communication with said plurality of fluid tanks for pumping fluid to the maintenance tool.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said mobile base includes a rotatable platform positioned along an upper end portion thereof, and wherein said boom member includes a first boom arm having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the rotatable platform of said mobile base and having a retracted position and an extended position, a second boom arm having a proximal end portion mounted to said first boom arm and having a retracted position and an extended position, and a third boom arm having a medial portion pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of said second boom arm and having a retracted position and an extended position.
 17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said boom member further includes a fourth boom arm having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to a distal end portion of said third boom arm.
 18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said fourth boom arm includes a plurality of arm links, the plurality of arm links including a first arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to the distal end portion of said third boom arm, a second arm link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the distal end of the first arm link, a third arm link having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the second arm link, and a fourth arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to the distal end of the third arm link.
 19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said base further includes a plurality of support surface registering members each having a support surface contact member and a hydraulic engaging member connected to the support surface contact member for hydraulically engaging the support surface contact member with the support surface.
 20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said aircraft maintenance tool includes at least one of the following: an aircraft deicing tool and an aircraft cleaning tool.
 21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said aircraft cleaning tool includes a tool housing, a pair of cleaning brushes having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing, and driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite rotational directions.
 22. An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said mobile base further has an operator cab for operating the apparatus from said mobile base.
 23. An apparatus for maintaining an aircraft, the apparatus comprising: a mobile base including rotating means for providing rotational movement of said mobile base on a support surface; a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to said mobile base; and an aircraft maintenance tool connected to a distal end portion of said boom member.
 24. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said rotating means of said mobile base includes a plurality of wheel members each having an omni-directional vehicle wheel for providing at least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational motion of said mobile base.
 25. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said mobile base includes a plurality of fluid supply tanks for supplying fluid to the maintenance tool, a power source, and a plurality of pumps connected to the power source and positioned in fluid communication with said plurality of fluid supply tanks for pumping fluid to the maintenance tool.
 26. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said mobile base includes a rotatable platform positioned along an upper end portion thereof, and wherein said boom member includes a first boom arm having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the rotatable platform of said mobile base and having a retracted position and an extended position, a second boom arm having a proximal end portion mounted to said first boom arm and having a retracted position and an extended position, and a third boom arm having a medial portion pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of said second boom arm and having a retracted position and an extended position.
 27. An apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said boom member further includes a fourth boom arm having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to a distal end portion of said third boom arm.
 28. An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said fourth boom arm includes a plurality of arm links, the plurality of arm links including a first arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to the distal end portion of said third boom arm, a second arm link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the distal end of the first arm link, a third arm link having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the second arm link, and a fourth arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to the distal end of the third arm link.
 29. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said base further includes a plurality of support surface registering members each having a support surface contact member and a hydraulic engaging member connected to the support surface contact member for hydraulically engaging the support surface contact member with the support surface.
 30. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said maintenance tool is rotatably connected to said boom member.
 31. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said aircraft maintenance tool includes at least one of the following: an aircraft deicing tool and an aircraft cleaning tool.
 32. An apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein said aircraft cleaning tool includes a tool housing, a pair of cleaning brushes having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing, and driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite rotational directions.
 33. An apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein the aircraft deicing tool includes a tool housing, a nozzle connected to said tool housing, and nozzle moving means connected to said tool housing for pivotally moving said nozzle in a first plane and for pivotally moving said nozzle in a second different plane.
 34. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said mobile base further has an operator cab for operating the apparatus from said mobile base.
 35. An aircraft maintenance tool for maintaining an aircraft, the maintenance tool comprising: a tool housing; a pair of cleaning brushes having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing; and driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite rotational directions.
 36. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, wherein each of said pair of cleaning brushes includes an inflatable roller and a roller cover, said roller cover including a plurality of brushing members associated therewith.
 37. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 36, further comprising roller inflating means connected to said tool housing for inflating each of said inflatable rollers.
 38. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, further comprising fluid supplying means connected to said tool housing for supplying fluid to an aircraft for cleaning thereof.
 39. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 38, wherein said fluid supplying means includes a plurality of fluid supply lines connected to an inner surface of said tool housing and a fluid supply connected to said plurality of fluid supply lines.
 40. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, further comprising suctioning means connected to said tool housing for suctioning fluid from an aircraft adjacent the maintenance tool.
 41. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 40, wherein said suctioning means includes a suction wiper positioned between said pair of cleaning brushes and a suction hose connected to said suction wiper.
 42. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, wherein said driving means includes at least one motor positioned within said tool housing and positioned between portions of said pair of cleaning brushes mounted in said tool housing.
 43. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 42, wherein said driving means further includes a drive assembly connected to said at least one motor and at least one end of each of said pair of cleaning brushes.
 44. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 43, wherein said motor includes a drive shaft, wherein each of said pair of cleaning brushes includes a cleaning brush drive gear, and wherein said drive assembly includes a first drive gear mounted to said drive shaft, a first drive belt connected to said first drive gear and one of said cleaning brush drive gears for driving the one of said pair of cleaning brushes, a second drive gear operatively engaging said first drive gear, and a second drive belt connected to said second drive gear and the other one of said cleaning brush drive gears for driving the other one of said pair of cleaning brushes in the opposite rotational direction from the one of said pair of cleaning brushes.
 45. A maintenance tool comprising: a tool housing; a pair of roll members having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing; and driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving said pair of roll members in opposite rotational directions.
 46. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 45, wherein each of said pair of roll members includes a roller and a roller cover, said roller cover including a plurality of surface contact members associated therewith.
 47. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 46, wherein each of said rollers are inflatable, wherein the plurality of surface contact members comprises brushing members, and wherein the tool further comprises roller inflating means connected to said tool housing for inflating each of said inflatable rollers.
 48. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 45, further comprising fluid supplying means connected to said tool housing for supplying fluid to an item for cleaning thereof.
 49. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 48, wherein said fluid supplying means includes a plurality of fluid supply lines connected to an inner surface of said tool housing and a fluid supply connected to said plurality of fluid supply lines.
 50. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 49, further comprising suctioning means connected to said tool housing for suctioning fluid from an item adjacent the maintenance tool.
 51. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 50, wherein said suctioning means includes a suction wiper positioned between said pair of roll members and a suction hose connected to said suction wiper.
 52. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 45, wherein said driving means includes at least one motor positioned within said tool housing and positioned between portions of said pair of roll members mounted in said tool housing.
 53. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 52, wherein said driving means further includes a drive assembly connected to said at least one motor and at least one end of each of said pair of roll members.
 54. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 53, wherein said motor includes a drive shaft, wherein each of said pair of roll members includes a roll member drive gear, and wherein said drive assembly includes a first drive gear mounted to said drive shaft, a first drive belt connected to said first drive gear and one of said roll member drive gears for driving the one of said pair of roll members, a second drive gear operatively engaging said first drive gear, and a second drive belt connected to said second drive gear and the other one of said roll member drive gears for driving the other one of said pair of roll members in the opposite rotational direction from the one of said pair of roll members.
 55. An aircraft maintenance tool for maintaining an aircraft, the maintenance tool comprising: a tool housing; a nozzle connected to said tool housing; and nozzle moving means connected to said tool housing for pivotally moving said nozzle in a first plane and for pivotally moving said nozzle in a second different plane.
 56. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 55, further comprising a deicing fluid supply line connected to said nozzle and a deicing fluid supply connected to said deicing fluid supply line for supplying deicing fluid to said deicing nozzle.
 57. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 55, wherein said nozzle moving means includes a first pneumatic cylinder connected to said tool housing for operatively moving said nozzle in the first plane and a second pneumatic cylinder connected to said tool housing for operatively moving said nozzle in the second different plane.
 58. A method of maintaining an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a boom member connected to a base; extending the boom member from a retracted position; and rotating an aircraft maintenance tool connected to the boom member during operation of a maintenance procedure upon an aircraft.
 59. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising rotating the base about a support surface.
 60. A method as defined in claim 59, further comprising moving the base in at least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational directions about the support surface.
 61. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising supplying fluid to the maintenance tool and suctioning fluid from the maintenance tool.
 62. A method as defined in claim 58, wherein said base further includes a plurality of support surface registering members each having a support surface contact member and a pneumatic engaging member connected to the support surface contact member, the method further comprising pneumatically engaging the support surface contact member with the support surface.
 63. A method as defined in claim 58, wherein the aircraft maintenance tool includes at least a pair of roll members, and the method further comprising rotatably driving the pair of roll members in opposite rotational directions.
 64. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising remotely operating the base, the boom member, and the maintenance tool.
 65. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising operating the base, the boom member, and the maintenance tool with an operator positioned on the base.
 66. A method of treating a surface, the method comprising: providing a pair of roll members having surface treating means associated therewith; and rotationally driving the pair of roll members in opposite rotational directions.
 67. A method as defined in claim 66, wherein each of the pair of roll members includes a roller and a roller cover, the roller cover including a plurality of surface contact members associated therewith.
 68. A method as defined in claim 67, wherein each of the rollers are inflatable, and wherein the method further comprises inflating each of the inflatable rollers.
 69. A method as defined in claim 66, further comprising supplying fluid to an item for cleaning thereof with the pair of roll members.
 70. A method as defined in claim 69, further comprising suctioning fluid from an item adjacent the maintenance tool.
 71. A method as defined in claim 70, wherein the step of suctioning fluid includes suctioningly wiping fluid positioned between the pair of roll members.
 72. A mobile vehicle, the mobile vehicle comprising: a base having at least upper and lower portions; a drive connected to said base; and a plurality of wheels connected to a lower portion of said base and connected to said drive so that said plurality wheels responsively move said base in at least three different directions responsive to said drive, each of said wheels including a hub and a plurality of roller members dispersed around said hub.
 73. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 71, wherein each of said plurality of wheels is drivable responsive to said drive in a selected direction independent of each of the other plurality of wheels.
 74. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 73, wherein said lower portion of said base includes a plurality of recessed regions into each of which one of said plurality of wheels is mounted.
 75. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 74, further comprising a plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules connected to the upper portion of said base.
 76. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 75, wherein the plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules are positioned along peripheral edges of said base.
 77. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 76, further comprising at least one main maintenance module connected to the upper portion of said base and having a maintenance tool connected thereto.
 78. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 77, wherein said at least one main maintenance module further includes a module base portion, a boom arm portion rotatably connected to said module base portion, and the maintenance tool being connected to said boom arm portion, said boom arm portion being extendable between retracted and extended positions.
 79. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 77, further comprising retractable and extendable connecting means positioned between and connected to the upper portion of said base and said main maintenance module for retracting and extending said main maintenance module.
 80. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 77, wherein at least either one of said plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules or said main maintenance module includes a chamber having at least one maintenance fluid positioned therein.
 81. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 72, further comprising a plurality of leveling legs connected to said base for leveling said base in selected positions, said plurality of leveling leg being movable between retracted and extended positions. 